Flood Preparation Tips

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster           

Rain waters the crops, grows the flowers, and floods the rivers. That almost all sounded really pleasant. Rain is a necessity for life, but it can also cause disaster. Flooding is often thought to be a slow rising process similar to watching lava slowly roll along. However, flooding can occur almost instantly– thus the term flash flooding was coined. Even if it’s not raining in your area, rain in another area or previous rain can trigger flooding. Since it is impossible to stop the flood, the best option is to be prepared.

As with any major emergency, your household should have a flood plan. You should look to your local community for information on the flood risk to your area. You may even discover that your town has a local flood plan as well. Local authorities may be able to provide information about relocation routes and centers in flood prone areas. You should also call your insurance agent and see if he/she sells flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program so that if/when disaster strikes, you’re not stuck paying 100% out of pocket trying to piece your home back together. More information about the National Flood Insurance Program can be found at www.floodsmart.gov

A great way to prepare for any emergency is to have an emergency kit. This will need to be tailored to your family and their needs.  For a list of items, go to www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.

If a flood is likely and you’ve been given advance notice to evacuate, do so before the flood comes. It is very dangerous to drive through water across roadways. If you’d like to try and reduce damages to your property, you can move items to the highest point possible in your home, turn off gas, electricity, and water, and secure loose objects.

Take care of yourself, your pets, and check on your neighbors. Floods can be devastating in a flash and many are underprepared when they occur.

Recovery after a flood is possible. There are many things that you can do to get things underway. Check with authorities before returning home to make sure that you take an approved route, and that it’s clear to return. Be safe this spring!


Stephanie McLain           

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

Stephanie Headshot

When Stephanie isn’t at work she’s trying new things from food, tech, games, hair colors, etc. Stephanie and her husband of 2 years live with their 2 boys, 1 fostered cousin, 2 dogs, 1 snake, and 1 fostered bearded dragon. Her goals are to experience the best life has to offer. They like to explore as a family everything from the outdoors, new towns, new games, or even new concepts or ideas for the house.

Tabler Insurance Agency and MAX Insurance® donate to Spring for a Cure

(FINDLAY, OH) – 100% of every dollar raised by Spring for a Cure goes to cancer research at The James Cancer Hospital in Columbus.  Tabler Insurance Agency and their partner MAX Insurance® are pleased to give a grant to help support the Spring for a Cure event this year.

Michael Tabler heads Tabler Insurance Agency.  He immediately thought of Spring for a Cure after learning about the MAX Agent Community Grant Program.  “I have attended this fundraising event every year,” Tabler said.  “Our agency has multiple customers that have gone to The James Cancer Hospital for their cancer treatments and we are pleased to partner with MAX Insurance® to make this gift possible.”

Tabler Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency representing MAX Insurance® in Findlay and surrounding areas.  MAX Insurance®, based in Overland Park, KS, is a unique fair, faithful and socially responsible insurance enterprise.  Founded on religious principles, the company’s mission is to restore wholeness to communities and individuals in need.  It lives out its mission through a variety of quality, fairly-priced insurance products, outstanding personalized customer service and its non-profit Mutual Aid Ministries (“MAM”) program. 

“MAX is more than an insurance company.  We truly care beyond the contract,” said David Wine, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “That’s why we are excited to partner with Tabler Insurance Agency and help support cancer research in the Spring for a Cure event in their community.” 

For more information:

Tabler Insurance Agency
Michael Tabler
123 South Main Street
Findlay, OH 45840
email  mike@tablerins.com
phone (419) 425-1414
website www.tablerins.com

MAX Insurance® and Mutual Aid Ministries, visit www.MAXInsurance.com.

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Water Monitoring Devices

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

If walls could talk, they may have wonderful stories to tell. If pipes could talk, you’d probably save a ton of money on plumbing costs. Well, a winner of 2018’s Best of What’s New Home Awards is here to translate your house’s pipes — Flo by Moen is the all-in-one security system for your home water. The world is changing:   first you needed security for your home, then your car, now your water. This is a brilliant idea on preventing water damage, so hear me out.

To avoid water damage, you start with preventing it. The system is installed on the main water supply line to the home. Because it is installed on the main water supply line, the device can monitor all water entering the house. It has three sensors which monitor water flow, pressure, and temperature. These sensors, paired with some algorithms, are what enable Flo by Moen to detect and protect against leaks, burst pipes, and more!

Each night the system will run a health test. Flo can detect leaks as smalls as one drop per minute which more often than not go undetected until after there is extensive damage.

Your smartphone will act as your command center. This is where you will get alerts and shut off your water as necessary if you have a cell signal or are connected to Wi-Fi. Luckily, if you’re unresponsive, Flo by Moen is also smart enough to shut the water off itself should something catastrophic be occurring.

Similarly, you can purchase a Water Hero, which is also installed on the main water line and runs via your cell phone. With the Water Hero, you can set up “Home Mode” and “Away Mode” where the alerts are different depending on the mode.

For example, if the device is in Home Mode, the owner states he usually has it set to alert him if water has been running for 15 minutes and to shut it off if it’s been running for 20 minutes. Alternatively, if it is in Away Mode, he has it set stricter where if the water runs for 1 minute while away, it alerts him and if it runs for 2 minutes, it will shut the water off. These controls are completely customizable by the consumer.

For more information on how Wi-Fi water shut off valves work and two more products, check out this article from DIY Smart Home Guide’s website

The Water Hero starts out at $649 and Flo by Moen is listed at $767.70 MSRP. Although these prices seem high, many customers note within the first 6 months they detect a leak they didn’t know about. If your home insurance deductible is $1000, avoiding just one claim will pay for the device and that is definitely worth thinking about.


About Stephanie

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

Stephanie Headshot

When Stephanie isn’t at work she’s trying new things from food, tech, games, hair colors, etc. Stephanie and her husband of 2 years live with their 2 boys, 1 fostered cousin, 2 dogs, 1 snake, and 1 fostered bearded dragon. Her goals are to experience the best life has to offer. They like to explore as a family everything from the outdoors, new towns, new games, or even new concepts or ideas for the house.


No Endorsement:  The products identified above are examples of smart home technology that may prevent water damage to homes.  The information in this article about products is for informational purposes only.  MAX Insurance has not purchased or tested and does not endorse, recommend, certify, or approve any product mentioned above.  We have no affiliation or relationship with any manufacturer or supplier of any product described in this article.  We make no representation or warranty with respect to any such product nor to its quality, reliability, or integrity.  We do not vouch for the truthfulness or accuracy of any information from any third-party about its product.  If you choose to purchase or use such product, it is at your own risk and you are responsible to use it in accordance with directions from its manufacturer or supplier.

Precision Insurance Solutions and MAX Insurance® donate to Asa’s Angels of Hope

(PAINESVILLE, OH) – Families needing help throughout the year can find hope and support through Asa’s Angels of Hope.  The Asa Cox Foundation, with help from a local car dealership, was able to acquire a van that they can use to transport donated large items, such as beds, to families in town.  Thanks to a grant from Precision Insurance Solutions and their partner MutualAid eXchange (“MAX”), the insurance for the vehicle will be taken care of this spring. 

“Asa’s Angels of Hope helps families during the holidays with Easter and Christmas drives, as well as during back to school with supplies and clothing,” said Tom Petti of Precision Insurance Solutions in Fairport Harbor.  “During the rest of the year, Asa’s Angeles of Hope responds to many requests from families in need of housing, beds, clothing, etc.  Donations tend to slow down after the holidays. Providing this grant at this time of year will help Asa’s Angels of Hope greatly.”

Precision Insurance Solutions is an independent insurance agency representing MAX Insurance® in Fariport Harbor and surrounding areas.  MAX Insurance®, based in Overland Park, KS, is a unique fair, faithful and socially responsible insurance enterprise.  Founded on religious principles, the company’s mission is to restore wholeness to communities and individuals in need.  It lives out its mission through a variety of quality, fairly-priced insurance products, outstanding personalized customer service and its non-profit Mutual Aid Ministries (“MAM”) program. 

“MAX is more than an insurance company.  We truly care beyond the contract,” said David Wine, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “That’s why we are excited to partner with Precision Insurance Solutions and help support a wonderful organization in their community.” 

For more information:

Precision Insurance Solutions
Tom Petti
411 High Street, Suite 1
Fairport Harbor, OH 44077
Phone: 440-487-4100
Email: tompetti.jr@gmail.com
Website: www.insurancewithprecision.com

MAX Insurance® and Mutual Aid Ministries, visit www.MAXInsurance.com.

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